Please join the Virginia Victim Assistance Network, allied partners, and survivors of homicide as we engage in the 13th annual observance of
the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims with:
"Honoring Life After Tragic Death:
A National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims Virtual Forum"
About the Forum:
The purpose for our forum is to allow survivors to have a voice to share with others how they are honoring the life of their loved one(s).
In 1978 19-year-old Lisa Hullinger was murdered, and her parents subsequently formed Parents of Murdered Children, a grief support organization. Following this, Congress designated September 25th as the annual date to honor and remember homicide victims and the devastating impact their tragic deaths have on families, friends, and communities. Its purpose also includes focusing on ways to support and help survivors.
Forum Agenda:
- Welcome [Dina Blythe, VVAN staff]
- Opening Intention + Moment of Silence [Kim Flournoy DiJoseph, Homicide Survivor + VVAN staff]
- Survivor Story [Michael Shafer, Homicide Survivor and VVAN volunteer]
- * Open Forum for VVAN Homicide Support Group Participants/Survivors
- Closing Meditation [Kim Flournoy DiJoseph, Homicide Survivor + VVAN staff]
* Open Forum: Survivors are encouraged to bring a tangible object such as a picture or object that honors the life of their loved one(s) to share in virtual community.
Who:
This year's forum is invitation-only and limited to: VVAN Homicide Support Group [HSG] facilitators, Victim/Witness HSG staff, and VVAN HSG participants/survivors.
When:
Friday, September 25th, 2020
12pm/noon-1pm
Where:
Virtual – Zoom link will be provided to registered participants 1-2 days prior to the forum
- Participants are encouraged to have video on only if they are comfortable doing so
- Participants are welcome to upload a Zoom profile picture of themselves, their loved one, or an image symbolic of their healing journey
Registration:
FREE – registration required
- Registration Opens: September 1st
- Registration Closes: September 23rd
About the Speakers:
Dina Blythe has been in the human services field for 25 years specializing in prevention and direct services to domestic violence and child abuse survivors. Dina works as VVAN’s Homicide Survivor Support Group Coordinator.
Kim Flournoy DiJoseph has 25+ years of professional work with victims across the trauma continuum with emphasis on grief/loss and vicarious trauma. She transitioned from 7 years as an associate professor in teaching at VCU’s School of Social Work to a part-time role as VVAN’s Project and Training Coordinator. Kim’s mother was murdered in 2012 and she bridges her dual experiences with traumatic loss to educate advocates. She is also a writer with an intuitive-centered healing practice.
Michael Shafer My father and great uncle were murdered, and attempted murder of my uncle, mother, and my uncle’s girlfriend, by girlfriend's outraged father on February 2nd, 1979.
Event Contact Info:
Please contact Dina Blythe at dina.blythe@vanetwork.org or 757-617-9814